Normal wear and tear from the wiper motor operating is what most often causes a wiper motor to go bad.
However overheating and electrical issues can also cause a wiper motor to go bad.
When the wipers get stuck due to ice and snow buildup or strain on the wiper motor it can cause the wiper motor to overheat and go bad or even damaged wiring can cause the wiper motor to go bad.
Worn gears and worn linkages as well as wipers moving over ice or other debris can overload the system and cause damage to the wiper motor.
The lifespan of a wiper motor is 10 years and sometimes longer.
The more use the wiper motor sees the less time the wiper motor will last and the less use the wiper motor sees the longer the wiper motor will last.
Most wiper motors will last the entire life of the car although sometimes you may need to replace the wiper motor sooner.
I still have the original wiper motor on my 1992 Chevy Silverado 1500 truck so that is over 30 years but some may last less than that.
You should replace your windshield wiper motor when the windshield wiper motor goes bad or is going bad.
The signs that your wiper motor is going bad are the wipers may not work at all or the wipers may move more slowly than normal or they may get stuck when during the wiping or make unusual noises.
If the wipers are moving more slowly than usual are not working at all or only operating at one speed or you hear other noises from the wiper motor then it's a sign that your wiper motor is bad and needs replaced.
If your wipers work and then suddenly stop in the middle of wiping then it's a sign that the wiper motor is bad.
Basically if the wipers stop working mid sweep or the wiper motor blows fuses or the wipers operate erratically or operate intermittently or the wipers park in the wrong position then the wiper motor is bad and needs replaced.
A windshield wiper motor is not all that expensive although the cost of labor to replace the windshield wiper motor can be as high as $100.00 to $200.00 although it may be as low as $35.00 to $50.00 depending on who replaces it and how hard it is to replace.
The wiper motor itself can be as low in cost as $50.00 to $100.00 $150.00 depending on the make and model of vehicle and where you buy the wiper motor from.
The cost to replace a windshield wiper motor ranges from $50.00 to $150.00 for the wiper motor and around $100.00 to $150.00 for labor if you have a shop replace the wiper motor.
You can buy a new wiper motor for around $50.00 to $150.00 depending on the vehicle.
If you have a shop replace the new wiper motor it can cost around $100.00 to $150.00 for labor charges and the wiper motor.
So having a shop replace the wiper motor can cost around $150.00 to $250.00 to $300.00 for parts and labor.
When a wiper motor is going bad it will usually start stopping and starting or simply stop working when you have the wipers on.
Sometimes you can get the wiper motor to work again by moving the wipers back and forth by hand.
In some cases it may be a loose connection to the wiper motor.
A wiper motor can be easily replaced and is often located on the drivers side of the vehicle.
You can buy a new wiper motor for around $50.00 to $150.00 depending on the vehicle.
If you have a shop replace the new wiper motor it can cost around $100.00 to $150.00 for labor charges and the wiper motor.
So having a shop replace the wiper motor can cost around $150.00 to $250.00 to $300.00 for parts and labor.